#SAUDIARABIA: Saudi Amb. To UK: After Palestinian State, Peace With Israel

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia is interested in normalizing diplomatic relations with Israel following the conclusion of the Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza (in retaliation for Hamas' attack on Isreal October 7) the Saudi ambassador to the UK, Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, said in an interview with the BBC.

However, the envoy said, Saudi Arabia had one condition - the creation of a Palestinian State.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#PAKISTAN: Desperate, Cash-Strapped Nation Cannot Afford To Boycott Saudi Conference, Says Prime Minister

[world politics news]

Newly installed Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan says his country must continue its good relations with Saudi Arabia, despite the killing of Jamal Khashoggi because of its dire economic crisis.

Khan was slated to travel to the Saudi capitol of Riyadh Tuesday to attend an investment summit that has been boycotted by many western officials and companies following the murder of the journalist. In an interview with foreign journalists, Khan admitted that he could not afford not to attend.

He said the Pakistani government needed urgent access to Saudi loans to avoid defaulting on record levels of debt within months. "We’re desperate at the moment," Khan said. He also blamed Pres. Trump with stoking conflict in the region with continued sanctions on neighboring Iran, which he says is hurting Pakistan's economy.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SAUDIARABIA: Gov't Says It Will Respond With "Bigger" Actions If US Imposes Sanctions Over Alleged Khashoggi Murder

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia rejects political and economic "threats" over missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, reports the BBC. The country would respond to any punitive action "with a bigger one," the unnamed senior source said. Khashoggi vanished October 2nd after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Turkey's president has said his government has proof that he was killed while inside the building, allegedly on orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman, who is the nation's de facto ruler.

Pres. Trump said last week he would "punish" Saudi Arabia if it were found responsible for killing him. Khashoggi, a Saudi has been a critic of the Saudi monarchy, has been living in the US in self-imposed exile and writing for the Washington Post about the king's tactics against his enemies.

WHY IT MATTERS TO US:
You could feel any stoppage of oil flowing from Saudi Arabia to the US at the gas pumps, as prices would rise almost immediately after an embargo was announced (and it may happen even before then, just on the threat of a cut-off.) Stocks could plunge this week, because the Markets hate uncertainty.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#SAUDIARABIA: Prosecutor Warns: Those Who Post Satire Of Religion, Morality, Or "Public Order" On Social Media Risk Five Years In Prison

[world politics news]

Those who post satire on social media in Saudi Arabia could risk up to five years in prison, the Arab News reported. In a tweet, the Kingdom's public prosecutor said, "Producing and spreading content through social media that ridicules, makes fun of, provokes and disturbs public order, religious values and public morality will be considered a cyber crime punishable by up to five years in prison".

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#CANADA: In Diplomatic Fight, Saudi Arabia Launches Campaign To Defame Canada's Treatment Of Women

[world politics news]

Within hours of Saudi Arabia expelling Canada’s ambassador after Canada's foreign minister criticized the jailing of dissidents in the Kingdom, the country’s broadcasters and pro-government social media accounts launched a propaganda campaign against Canada, in part, attempting to argue that Canada is the "world's worst oppressor of women." This despite PM Trudeau's cabinet being composed of 50% women, and the fact that Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who leveled the charges, is herself a woman. They also asserted that best-selling Canadian author Jordan Peterson is a political prisoner (he is not) and that the streets of Canada are full of homeless people.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#CANADA: Saudi Arabia Expels Canadian Ambassador, Freezes Trade, After Gov't Tweet Urged Activists' Release

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia ordered Canada's ambassador to leave the country and froze all new trade and investment transactions with Canada in a spat over human rights. The ministry added that Saudi Arabia is recalling its ambassador to Canada. Both the Saudi and Canadian ambassadors were away on leave at the time of the announcement.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SAUDIARABIA: New Bankruptcy Law Seeks To Empower Loaners, Preserve Debtor's Rights, Improve Int'l Standings

[world politics news]

A new bankruptcy law will come into effect in August that seeks to empower loaners, while also preserve the rights of debtors. Majed al-Rasheed, secretary general of the bankruptcy committee at the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, says the law will also improve Saudi Arabia's standing in international reports dealing with insolvency. The Kingdom currently ranks at 168 out of 190 countries.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SAUDIARABIA: A Woman Has Been Appointed Head Of The Kingdom's Cyber Security Division

[world politics news]

A woman who attended George Washington University has been appointed to head up the Saudi Kingdom's cyber security division. Nouf Abdullah Al-Rakan was announced last week as as executive director of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones. Rakan completed her studies at George Washington University, and achieved a fellowship in Project Management. She is a graduate of Windsor's International Young Leadership Program in Britain. She has over 15 years of experience in project and business management in Saudi Arabia, has worked in the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SAUDIARABIA: King Issues Ruling Allowing Women To Drive By Next Summer

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has issued a decree allowing women to drive for the first time. Government ministries are to prepare reports within 30 days and the order will be implemented by June 2018. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world to forbid women from driving.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#QATAR: Saudi-Led Bloc Gives Qatar 10 Days To Meet "Anti-Terror" Demands Blockade/Cut Relations

[world politic news]

A Saudi-led bloc had given Qatar a 10 days to comply with 13 demands, which included shutting down the Al Jazeera Media Network, closing a Turkish military base and scaling down ties with Iran. In the document, the countries also demanded that Qatar sever all alleged ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and with other groups, including Hezbollah, al-Qaeda and ISIS. Qatar has dismissed a list of demands submitted by four Arab nations as neither reasonable or actionable.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: Parliament Debates Status Of Islands At The Center Of Controversial Court Decision

[world politics news]

Parliament’s Legislative and Constitutional Affairs Committee began discussing the maritime border demarcation deal between Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The deal, which places the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi maritime waters, was signed during Saudi King Salman bin Abdel-Aziz’s visit to Cairo in April 2016. The agreement has faced a number of legal challenges since it was made public.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#QATAR: Neighboring Nations Cut Ties With Qatar Over Iranian & Alleged Terror Ties

[world politics news]

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Yemen have cut ties, claiming the energy-rich monarchy is undermining stability in the region by supporting in the Iran-aligned militant groups. Authorities gave Qataris living in and visiting their countries two weeks to leave.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRAN: Defense Minister Threatens To Destroy Saudi Arabia (Except For Muslim Holy Sites There) Amid War Of Words

[world politics news]

Iran's defense minister has lashed back at Saudi Arabia, slamming the kingdom's deputy crown prince over belligerent comments last week that underscored the deep rivalries between the Sunni and Shiite power. Defense Minister Gen. Hossein Dehghan has been quoted as saying that Iran would advise against "such a stupidity" because in that case, nothing would be "left in Saudi Arabia except Mecca and Medina," the two holy cities.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#SAUDIARABIA: Iran Denies Receiving Invite To Saudi Hajj Pilgrimage Summit

[world politics news]

The head of Iran's Hajj organization has denied receiving an invitation from Saudi Arabia to engage in talks about the annual Hajj Muslim pilgrimage, after a dispute between the arch-foes saw its pilgrims remain at home last year. Saudi Pilgrims Minister Mohammed Bentin reportedly has opened discussions with more than 80 countries, including Iran, to work out the details of the 2017 Hajj, which takes place annually in Saudi Arabia. Yet Iran's Hajj Organization head Hamid Mohammadi says no invitation has been received. In Sept., 2015, nearly 2,300 pilgrims were killed in a stampede during that year's Hajj pilgrimage.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#EGYPT: In Rare Rebuke, Court Blocks Pres. Al-Sisi's Deal To Give Islands To Saudi Arabia

[world politics news]

An Egyptian court has reversed a decision to hand over two Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia. Tuesday's verdict by the highest administrative court in Cairo declared void a maritime border accord with Saudi Arabia, which would have seen Egypt surrender control of the Tiran and Sanafir islands at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba. While the verdict is not final, it could deal a blow to Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi's government, which has eagerly argued that the agreement would bring economic benefits for Egypt.

#EGYPT: Parliament Takes Up Controversial "Red Sea Islands" Agreement With Saudi Arabia

[world politics news]

The controversial "Red Sea Agreement" with Saudi Arabia is set to face scrutiny from parliament soon. The agreement, signed during the April visit of King Salman to Egypt, fixed the maritime border between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, placing the two Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi territorial waters, triggering street protests that were handled violently by police and the army.

#EGYPT: MP's Propose Changes To Avoid Harsh Prison Sentences For Young Political Protesters"

[world politics news]

Several members of parliament have voiced frustration over a court verdict that sentenced more than 500 young people to between two to five years in prison for protesting against an Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea maritime border demarcation deal. Anwar Al-Sadat, chairman of parliament’s Human Rights Committee, said the ruling against the youths was like a "medal on their chests."

#SAUDIARABIA: Iranian Delegation To Meet With Saudis Over Iranian Hajj Pilgrimage Ban

[world politics news]

An Iranian delegation is set to travel to Saudi Arabia to hold last-ditch talks with the kingdom’s officials on the participation of Iranian pilgrims for the annual Hajj rituals, invited by the new Saudi Minister of Hajj, Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten, He expressed hope that the changes in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj will help settle problems allowing Iranian pilgrims to attend to this year’s Hajj. Earlier this year, Iran banned Iranians from participating, citing security concerns.

#IRAN: Gov't Will Prevent Citizens From Making Mecca Pilgrimage, Citing Security Concerns

[world politics news]

Iran will ban its citizens from going to Saudi Arabia this year to perform the annual Hajj pilgrimage, The Iranian Minister of Cultural and Islamic Guidance, Ali Jannati, blamed travel to Saudi Arabia for failing to "resolve the issue of security" in the months-long discussions which took place between the two countries, which are fighting a proxy war in Yemen and have had numerous diplomatic clashes in the past year.

#EGYPT: Demonstration Against Island Transfers To Saudi Arabia Dispersed With Tear Gas

[world politics news]

Thousands of Egyptians angered by Pres. Sisi’s transfer of two deserted Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia used the dispute to call for his government to fall in the largest demonstration since the former military general took office in 2014. Security forces dispersed the peaceful demonstrators with tear gas.